Dual handle construction for caskets

ABSTRACT

A dual handle construction for use in carrying a casket is described. A first, fixed handle is attached to the casket wall at a predetermined distance therefrom. A second handle, pivotally supported over said first handle, extends at a greater distance from the wall. The latter is generally used by pallbearers for carrying the casket, whereas the first handle is used particularly for lowering the casket into the grave.

[ June 3, 1975 1,954,485 4/1934 McClelland................,...... 16/111 R DUAL HANDLE CONSTRUCTION FOR CASKETS Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frederick E. Bartholy k w .mN S 5k n 4 3n w d w o m .m R1 Lo m m ER n O t n e V n .1 Q 7 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: July 5, 1974 [57 A dual handle construction for use in carrying a cas- Appl. No.: 485,838

ket is described. A first, fixed handle is attached to the 52 US. Cl. 16/112 Casket Wall at a predetermined distance therefrom A 47 95 )2 second handle, pivotally supported over said first hanl6/lll R, 112, 114 R;

[51] Int. [58] Field of Search..............

dle, extends at a greater distance from the wall. The

27 27 2 7 latter is generally used by pallbearers for carrying the casket, whereas the first handle is used particularly for lowering the casket into the grave.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1,933,637 11/1933 16/112 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention DESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, in FIG. 1 there is a partial This invention relates to handles affixed to caskets outline of a casket l0 merelyfor the sake of illustrating and, more particularly, to a handle construction which permits pallbearers greater ease in their task of carrying the casket to its destination and then lowering it into the grave.

2. Description of the Prior Art Handles for caskets have been in use since time immemorial and may fall into two general classifications, namely, those which are fixed in position and others which are pivoted and appear flush against the casket wall, but swing into horizontal position when in use. The construction of such handles varies to a great extent. They may be ornamental in design while sturdy in their mechanical assembly. The following United States patents were selected to represent various types: US. Pat. Nos. 2,079,459; 2,088,476, and 3,204,286.

' It is to be noted that all such handles of diverse mechanical assembly and ornamental appearance serve the sole purpose of providing the bearers a solid grip for carrying the casket. The distance between the casket and those who stand alongside when carrying it varies, of course, with the lateral extension of the handle from the side of the casket. If this distance is short, it is rather uncomfortable for the bearers to carry the casket, but makes their task of lowering it into the grave easier since the bearers are in close proximity to the side of the casket and thus to the edge of the grave.

Conversely, a handle which extends farther from the side of the casket makes it easier for the pallbearers to carry it but quite different for them to lower it since they must stand farther away from the edge of the grave.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention has for its object to provide a handle for caskets which has dual functional elements. It permits pallbearers to carry the casket comfortably by utilizing one functional element which extends from the casket wall at a relatively greater distance and then to lower the casket into the grave by utilizing the other functional element which extends from the casket wall at a much shorter distance.

The above feature of dual function may be incorporated into various types of mechanical assemblies which may also have ornamental design possibilities.

The invention is not concerned with the latter and the illustration herein presented merely shows a simple working example of the inventive concept.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view in perspective showing, by way of example, the dual purpose handle construction, in accordance with the invention, attached to the side ofa casket. The handle is depicted in the active carrying posi tion.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I with the carrying handle lowered against the side of the coffin and out of sight.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in cross section showing the pivotal movement of the carrying handle in the support plate and the stop mechanism therefor.

the application of the dual purpose handle 12 of the invention which is attached to the side 13 of the casket l0.

Essentially, the handle 12 comprises base plates l5 and 15' which maybe attached to the side 13 in any desired manner but shown here merely as an example by bolts 17 and 17' located on top. Similar bolts .on the bottom are not visible in theperspective rendition.

Let us state here, for the sake of simplicity, that the handle 12 has two major components, namely, the bar 18, hereinafter referred to as the lowering bar, and the bar 19, referred to as the carrying bar. 7

TriangularIy-shaped support brackets 21 and 22 are firmly attached to base plates 15 and 15, respectively, each having walls defining a slot 23 and 23', respectively, between them.

At one end the lowering bar 18 is firmly affixed to the bracket 21- and, at the other end, to the bracket 22 in parallel relation to the side 13 of the coffin l0, and at a given distance therefrom, sufficient to provide comfortable access for the hand of the user.

The carrying bar 19 is affixed to arms 24 and 25 which are pivotally mounted over the lowering bar 18. The length of the arms 24 and 25 determine the effective distance of the carrying bar 19 from the side of the casket wall 13 when it is in the fully extended position as seen in FIG. 1. The arms 24 and 25 are so dimensioned as to their widths as to conveniently fit into the slots 23 and 23, respectively, of the support brackets 21 and 22 so that the carrying bar 19 may be swung downwardly and out of the way, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The inner construction of the pivotal support of the arms 24, for example, is shown in FIG. 3, partially in. cross section, the swinging movement being indicated by the arrow.

It is seen that the arm 24 has a semi-circular portion 26 which, when extended, engages a ledge 27 forming a part of the inner face of the support bracket 21. In this manner, a solid lifting grip is provided by preventing further pivotal movement ofthe arm 24 in the upward direction.

From the above description, the utility of the dual action handle for caskets becomes readily apparent.

When the casket is to be carried from one place to another by the pallbearers, the handle is swung outwardly to be in the position shown in FIG. 1. The carrying bar 19 is thus utilized. Being farther from the side of the coffin, it gives ample room for the pallbearers to move and conveniently carry the coffin to any distance which may be required.

Upon reaching the gravesite, the coffin is lowered and the carrying bar 19 is swung down out of the way. Now the lowering bar 18, closest to the wall of the coffin, is utilized to lift the casket and lower it into the grave. The pallbearers, being close to the coffin, can carry it comfortably to the edge of the grave and lower It.

The above described operation is the salient feature of the dual handle construction. It will be obvious, however, that this construction has other advantages.

The distinction made between the two handles, by referring to them as a carrying bar and a lowering bar is merely for the sake of easier explanation and illustration of their primary functions. Manifestly, both handles are used to carry the coffin. For example, when the casket is taken out of a room and through a doorway, the carrying bar 19 is folded down since it is easier to carry the casket through the door by using the lowering bar 18. The use of both handles depends on the available space and ease of handling. For example. when the pallbearers have to walk around the grave with the coffin, the handles 19 permit them space to do so without fear of losing their footing and sliding due to the loose earth surrounding the grave.

Various constructions may be visualized within the framework of the invention. For example, the lowering bar may extend along the length of the coffin and separate handles may be provided which swing out from recessed holders.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific embodiments herein shown and described but changes may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

l. A dual handle construction for attachment to the wall of a casket comprising a first, fixed bar member extending at a given distance from the wall of the casket and parallel thereto, support means for said member attached to the wall of the casket, a second bar member adapted to extend from said wall at a greater distance than said first bar member and parallel thereto, a pair of arms attached to said second bar member, said arms being pivotally mounted for swinging said second bar member into active position when in use and into inactive position against the casket wall when not in use.

2. A handle construction in accordance with claim I wherein said support means comprise a pair of triangularly-shaped plate members affixed to base plates attached to the wall of the casket, said plate members extending from the casket wall and having a slot for accommodating the arms of said second bar member whereby said arms are out of sight when said second bar member is lowered into inactive position.

3. A handle construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the arms of said second bar member has a stop means engaging a ledge in said support means for securely holding said second bar member in position for lifting and carrying the casket. 

1. A dual handle construction for attachment to the wall of a casket comprising a first, fixed bar member extending at a given distance from the wall of the casket and parallel thereto, support means for said member attached to the wall of the casket, a second bar member adapted to extend from said wall at a greater distance than said first bar member and parallel thereto, a pair of arms attached to said second bar member, said arms being pivotally mounted for swinging said second bar member into active position when in use and into inactive position against the casket wall when not in use.
 1. A dual handle construction for attachment to the wall of a casket comprising a first, fixed bar member extending at a given distance from the wall of the casket and parallel thereto, support means for said member attached to the wall of the casket, a second bar member adapted to extend from said wall at a greater distance than said first bar member and parallel thereto, a pair of arms attached to said second bar member, said arms being pivotally mounted for swinging said second bar member into active position when in use and into inactive position against the casket wall when not in use.
 2. A handle construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support means comprise a pair of triangularly-shaped plate members affixed to base plates attached to the wall of the casket, said plate members extending from the casket wall and having a slot for accommodating the arms of said second bar member whereby said arms are out of sight when said second bar member is lowered into inactive position. 